UPDATE: The Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn Indiegogo campaign passed its $450,000 funding target on the final day of the campaign and is now in development for PC, PS3, PS4, Wii U, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.
Six people gave $250 for a personalised voicemail from Shaq and someone donated $20,000 to have a meal with Shaq in a local restaurant while another backer gave $35,000 for Shaq to come to a party and play a DJ set.
ORIGINAL STORY: Shaquille O'Neal is seeking to atone for 1994's Shaq Fu fighter which is widely regarded as one of the worst games ever made with a sequel, the Associated Press reports.
Shaq will launch a crowdfunding campaign for Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn and commented, "The old 'Shaq Fu' was a 'ha, ha, ha.' This will not be a 'ha, ha, ha.'"
Backers will receive anything from a pair of autographed size-22 sneakers to a pick-up basketball game and lunch with Shaq depending on how much they donate. One of the tiers, which unlocks when you contribute $6,500, allows you to become the game's concept artist, which effectively means you're paying Shaq to let you work for him.
The original game was published by EA but Big Deez Productions will be handing A Legend Reborn. Shaq Fu was widely panned for its cheesy story, wonky controls, and what many saw as a blatant attempt to cash in on O'Neal's superstar status.
Shaq, who retired from the NBA in 2011, said:
"I don't think it was the worst. When you talk about the worst, you've got to talk about sales. I actually sold a lot of games, but when I did the first 'Shaq-Fu,' that was at the end of analog right before digital came out. It wasn't a bad game. It wasn't a good game, but it wasn't awful. The graphics, animation and storyline are definitely going to be top of the line."
Asked why he's asking fans to fund the game rather than doing so himself, Shaq added:
"That's just the new way of doing business. I have a big social following, so everyone will have their hand in it. As a businessman, you have to take advantage of all available options."
Despite his planned return to video games, O'Neal says he has no plans to revive other past ventures such as his movie or rapping career.
